The Beermen lead the way, using a massive run to start the fourth which sealed the victory 109-82 victory against Brgy. Ginebra in Game 1 of their best-of-7 All-Filipino titular showdown Friday at the MOA Arena.
Reigning Finals MVP Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot running the show, the Beermen ran amok against the Gin Kings in the opening 12 minutes, putting up a 23-point lead, 35-12.
MVP June Mar Fajardo likewise finished with 17 points in a near-perfect shooting night, making all but one of his eight field-goal attempts. Cabagnot and Gabby Espinas ended up with 16 points apiece as the champs moved to within three wins of capturing the Perpetual trophy.
After Ginebra took its first and only lead of the game, 2-1, the Beermen responded with a 16-0 run to set the tone for the rest of the contest.
The Gin Kings struggles were perfectly captured with their opening lineup as no Ginebra starter scored more than five points.
Game 2 of the best-of-7 is set for Sunday live from Lucena City in Quezon.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 109 - Ross 17, Fajardo 17, Cabagnot 16, Espinas 16, Tubid 11, Santos 9, Lassiter 8, Agovida 7, Heruela 4, Reyes 2, De Ocampo 2, Van Opstal 0, Mabulac 0, McCarthy 0.
GINEBRA 82 - Ellis 13, Cruz 12, Caguioa 12, Thompson 10, Taha 9, Tenorio 5, Aguilar 5, Mariano 4, Jamito 4, Devance 3, Mercado 2, Ferrer 2, Marcelo 1, Helterbrand 0, De Guzman 0.
Quarterscores: 35-12, 60-39, 89-56, 109-82